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LGBT therapists in Tacoma, WA


Top LGBT-friendly therapists and psychiatrists in Tacoma, WA
Finding an open-minded therapist who celebrates your authentic self matters. Headway's Tacoma network includes warm, inquisitive providers experienced in supporting LGBTQIA mental health journeys, with flexible scheduling and insurance coverage helping you save up to 75% on sessions.
Depression, anxiety, and trauma don't always respond to standard treatments and if you're here, there's a good chance you've tried an approach that hasn't worked. I'm a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 14 years of clinical experience, and my practice is built specifically around patients who need more than a first-line approach. I trained at UCLA & UCSF, and before specializing in psychiatry, I spent years working in critical care which taught me to read the body's systems as interconnected, not siloed. I bring that same lens to psychiatric care with emphasis on the mind/body as one.
Iām Dr. Emem Nkanga, Doctor of Nursing Practice. I believe that everyone deserves a personalized and compassionate approach to mental health care. I bring over 20 years of experience in healthcare, with a focused dedication to psychiatry over the past 4 years. My passion lies in supporting mental health and emotional well-being.
I work with children ages 10 and above, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds who are experiencing challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, OCD, insomnia, and more.
Stimulants, Suboxone and Benzodiazepines are prescribed in this practice with DEA guidelines. Dr. Padilla is a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the New York tri-state area and has over 30 years of experience in healthcare. He treats children from 6 years old through adulthood, focusing on psychiatric medication management. He specializes in mental health and has extensive experience in the field of psychiatry. Dr. Padilla takes a āstart low and go slowā approach to prescribing, paying special attention to medication potency and potential interactions with other medications prescribed by other providers. Dr. Padilla earned his Doctorate in Clinical Practice Nursing from Rutgers UniversityāNew Brunswick. He also holds bachelorās degrees from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and the University of Miami, as well as an associateās degree from Bergen Community College.
I have been working as a therapist to help clients find healing and gain understanding in themselves since 2016.
I hold a Body Acceptance Group for Women where clients work towards overcoming body shame, learn to nourish and heal their relationship with their body, and start living an empowered life.
Other areas of focus in my work are on adult family relationships, trauma, healing from sexual assault or abuse, and anxiety.
- Iām a ārealā talker, down to Earth + hot takes
- Anticapitalist leftist
- Strengths-based, positive psychology, non-pathologizing
- Frank. I can call people on their crap without judgment.
- Insight-oriented
- Goofy and funny. My clients and I like to laugh and make fun of ourselves sometimes, even in the darkest times
- Likes to take things a bit deeper. Is capable of holding many layers of complexity and conceptualizing the connections- and the way forward
- A visual thinker (lots of stories and images in how I speak)
- Very hard to surprise with regard to human behavior
I am a licensed mental health therapist; I have experience with a diverse, complex, and co-occurring clientele with a broad age range from adolescents to older adults.
Welcome! I'm Valerie Griffin, a licensed mental health counselor in Washington state.
I treat individuals 13 years and older with OCD, trauma, anxiety disorders, and other mental health challenges. Whatever your reason for seeking therapy, I'll be your teammate in helping you reach your goals.
Greetings. I am a private practice therapist in Washington State. I am an Independent Clinical Social Worker and I am focused on people's empowerment and connection. I specialize in:
- Inferenced-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy for OCD.
- Alcohol and other substance use disorders.
- Social anxiety
- Depression and anxiety
- Compulsive sexual behaviors including pornography use.
- (For compulsive sexual behaviors, I have a Sexual Compulsivity Informed Professional Certification from the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes.)
Hello! I'm Lauren Salerno (she/her), a licensed mental health therapist in Washington! I am also trained in art therapy, and love to incorporate creativity into my work with people. My typical client is neurodivergent, creative, and looking for healthy coping skills to learn when to adapt and when to advocate for themselves. I work with adults 18+ and sometimes with groups. Nice to meet you!
Hello, I am a licensed independent clinical social worker in the state of Washington, specializing in mental health therapy. I received my Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California and my Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Pacific Lutheran University. I have been working in the mental health field since 2013.
I believe in our capacity to adapt, grow, love, grieve, overcome & thrive. Stressful events, trauma, loss, illness & change can overwhelm our ability to cope. We become stuck. We protect ourselves to avoid ever feeling that pain again. Solutions that once worked become part of the problem. When the wound is triggered, we experience pain & distorted ways of thinking. In therapy, we journey together to uncover & remove blocks to healing, transforming pain & loss into meaning, awareness & choice.
About our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists in Tacoma, WA



- 100%LGBTQIA+
- 98%Anxiety
- 96%Depression
- 88%Stress management
- 87%Trauma

- 98%Aetna
- 88%Regence BlueShield of Washington
- 83%Carelon Behavioral Health
- 83%Cigna
- 51%Providence Health Plan

- 99%English
- 6%Spanish
- 1%Mandarin
- 1%French
- 1%Portuguese

- 87%Online only
- 13%In-person or online

- 76%Woman
- 21%Man
- 3%Non-binary

- 38%Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- 28%Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- 23%Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner
- 7%Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist
- 4%Psychologist

- 99%Individual therapy
- 31%Family therapy
- 21%Couples therapy
- 11%Child or adolescent therapy
Frequently asked questions


Find the right LGBTQ-friendly therapy provider for you
Headway makes it easier to connect with affirming therapists who understand your identity ā from finding the right therapist, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an LGBTQIA Therapist in Tacoma
Finding LGBTQIA+ therapists in Tacoma starts with choosing care that is identity-affirming, not just clinically relevant. An affirming therapist may support concerns related to identity, relationships, gender exploration, family dynamics, anxiety, depression, or trauma. As you compare options, look for therapists who mention affirmative therapy, WPATH training, gender-diverse experience, or work with LGBTQIA+ communities in their listed specialties and bios.
Tacoma has a steady network of mental health therapists, but the number of therapists with explicit LGBTQIA+ experience may vary by availability, specialty, and neighborhood. Virtual therapy can expand your options if you want a therapist outside your immediate area or need more scheduling flexibility. In addition to specialty, consider appointment times, whether the therapist is accepting new clients, and whether their profile gives a clear sense of their communication style, approach, and experience with LGBTQIA+ clients, couples, and families.
Therapy in Tacoma can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to lower session costs and make ongoing care easier to plan for. Headway helps you search for LGBTQIA+ therapists in Tacoma who are accepting new clients, review detailed bios, check your estimated out-of-pocket cost before booking, and schedule directly when youāre ready.
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